Objectives
1. Orient students to the profession of dentistry, its development, philosophies and activities related to community oral health promotion.
2. Develop in students the concept of ethical behaviour and laws that govern the profession.
3. Stimulate an interest in participating in the community health activities.
Mobile dental clinic is run by Public Health Dentistry Department. The mobile dental clinic is equipped with a dental chair and all attachments like airotor, micromotor, light cure unit, ultra sonic scaler and necessary instruments and materials for treatment of patients are provided. A TV & DVD player is also provided for patient education. A generator and air compressor are also provided.
Practicals/Clinicals/Field Programme: 150 Hours
These exercises are designed to help the student in III and IV year – PART I
1. Understand the community aspects of dentistry
2. To take up leadership role in solving community oral health problems.
Exercises
- Collection of statistical data (demographic) on population in India, birth rates, morbidity and mortality, literacy, per capita income etc.
- Incidence and prevalence of common oral diseases like dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancer, fluorosis at national and international levels.
- Preparation of oral health education material – posters, models, slides, lectures, play acting skills etc.
- Oral health status assessment of the community using indices and WHO basic oral health survey methods.
- Exploring and planning setting up of private dental clinics in rural, semi urban and urban locations, availment of finances for dental practice – preparing project reports.
- Visit to primary health centre to acquaint with activities of primary health care delivery – prepare a report.
- Visit a water purification plant / public health laboratory / centre for treatment of wastes and sewage water – prepare a report.Visit to schools – to assess oral health status of school children, emergency treatment and health education including possible preventive care at school (tooth brushing technique demonstration and oral rinse program etc.).
- Visit to institution for the care of handicapped, physically, mentally, or medically compromised patients.
- Preventive dentistry: in the department – application of pit and fissure sealants, fluoride gel application procedures A.R.T. at least 2 patients.
- The colleges are encouraged to involve in the N.S.S. programmes for college students for carrying our social work in rural areas.
- Maintain a Record Book – duly signed as to progress of the student by the Head of the Department.